Pretoria – The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation has said that the country looked forward to “resuming normal economic and trade relations” with Iran once economic sanctions on Iran are lifted.
Mait Nkoana-Mashabane the minister of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation said on Wednesday that the decision followed the nuclear deal reached with the G-6 nations.
Six nations, namely, U.S., Britain, France, China, Russia and Germany have reached a deal with Iran on limiting the country’s nuclear activities in return for the lifting of economic sanctions.
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“This historic agreement is testament to the success of a negotiated and diplomatic solution to which South Africa had steadfastly and continuously lent its full support,” Mait Nkoana-Mashabane, told newsmen in Pretoria.
He said South Africa would resume oil imports from Iran, once its biggest supplier, after sanctions on Iran lifted.
“South Africa welcomes the lifting of unilaterally imposed sanctions on Iran and further reiterates support for Iran’s inalienable right to the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes,” she said.
South Africa was Africa’s biggest buyer of Iran’s oil. The purchase was halted in 2012 as Western countries pressured Teheran over its nuclear programme. (Xinhua/NAN)